Nurture versus nature - Research Paper Example

Nature Vs. Nurture The nature versus nurture debate can be regarded as one of the most enduring within the field of psychology. The old argument regarding the nature versus nurture has never been settled as it is not clear cut how much of human development is determined by nature and how much by life experience (nurture). The growing literature on the understanding of human development has made it clear that both sides of the debate are partly right. Nature endows individuals with inborn traits and capabilities while nurture molds the genetic tendencies as people mature and learn.

The paper explores the role of nature and nurture in human development. Nature vs. Nurture Introduction The nature versus nurture debate in psychology relates to the level to which certain aspects of human development are a result of either inherited (genetic) or acquired (learned) characteristics. Research indicates that both nature and nurture influence human development and the core question centers on “how much?” This implies that, given that both heredity and environment impact on human development, which of them is most significant.

The “how much” question presumes that the variables can all be expressed numerically and that the issue can be successfully resolved in a quantitative way. The reality details that nature and nurture interact within a host of qualitative diverse ways (Collins et al., 2000). The Nature Theory - Heredity It has for extended periods been demonstrated that certain physical traits remain biologically determined by genetic inheritance. Nature influences the maximum IQ that a person can have, the height, or the hair color.

Other aspects such as height, hair loss, vulnerability to certain illnesses (such as breast cancer among women) remain positively connected between genetically related individuals. Such correlations have led to some scholars to speculate on whether psychological attributes such as personality attributes, behavioral tendencies, and mental capabilities “wired in” individuals. The proponents of nature theory core assumption are that characteristics of human species as a whole are a result of evolution and that individual difference emanates from an individual’s distinct genetic code.

Characteristics and differences not observable at birth may emerge later in life as the product of maturation (Plomin, Reiss, Hetherington, & Howe, 1994). The nature theory also stipulates that abstract traits such as personality, intelligence, sexual orientation, and aggression may be encoded within a person’s DNA. Nature is responsible for the growth of an individual right from the fetus level until the development into a normal adult. The genetic makeup of an individual determines their sex, color of the eyes, skin pigment, and hair color, as well as distinguishing the inherited features (Keating, 2011).

Nature can only assist within the growth of a fetus into an adult with inherited talents. Hence, it can be observed that nature utilizes the genetic coding to aid within the physical development and does not impart some negative or positive traits to a person. Nevertheless, it nurture that can be employed to enhance positive traits and diminish the influence of negative traits within a child (Keating, 2011). The Nurture Theory - Environment It is essential to highlight that nature within the form of inherited traits does exert influence, but an individual’s overall behavior can be impacted on by nurture or upbringing, as well as the environmental factors involved during the upbringing.

A number of studies undertaken on infant and childhood behavior have indicated that there is considerable evidence to reinforce the fact that nature strongly impacts on human development, especially during early years of development (McLeod, 2007). Most parents encourage their children to engage in extra-curricular activities such as music or sports in line with their interests and talents. The basic assumption in nurture theory details that, at birth, the human mind is a tabula rasa and that it is gradually “filled” owing to experience.

Hence, nurture that oversees the human development and the notion of maturation draws only to the biological. Similarly, proponents of nurture stipulate that cognitive development hinges on the level of stimulation within the environment, as well as the civilization within which the child is brought up (Belsky & Pluess, 2009). Although, the proponents of the nurture theory do not discount that genetic tendencies may exist, they believe that nature does not ultimately matter. As such, individuals development (such as behavioral aspects) emanate only from the environmental factors of their upbringing.

Studies on infant and child temperament have highlighted the most significant evidence of nurture theories (Belsky & Pluess, 2009). Conclusion Personally, it would be difficult to say whether either nature or nurture is more significant than the other; nevertheless, they both impact on human development differently. Although, it is evident that physical characteristics such as height are hereditary, nature equally has a strong influence on an individual’s behavior, personality, and intelligence.

Evidently, nurture plays a considerable role during early human development. In one way or the other, nurture speeds up a person’s capacity to study and learn new things. Although, nature is responsible for the normal development of the fetus into a healthy and normal infant, it cannot entirely develop the fetus into a knowledgeable, intelligent, or athletic adult. Nurture also plays a critical within the early stages of human development. Hence, it is accurate to say that, despite nature having some level of influence on human development, nurture strongly impacts on early human development.

References Belsky, J., & Pluess, M. (2009). The nature (and nurture) of plasticity in early human development. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(4), 345-351. Collins, W. A. et al. (2000). The case for nature and nurture. Am. Psychol., 55(1), 218-232. Keating, D. P. (2011). Nature and nurture in early child development. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. McLeod, S. A. (2007). Nature nurture in psychology - simply psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.

html Plomin, R., Reiss, D., Hetherington, E. M., & Howe, G. W. (1994). Nature and nurture: Genetic contributions to measures of the family environment. Dev. Psychol., 3 (1), 32-43.